As parents of Montessori children it is reasonable to say that you are very much in tune to the overall well-being of your child and are willing to take measures to ensure and protect that well being. I am confident that you, like me, are concerned about the amount of media your child is exposed to and engaged in on a daily basis.

Screen Media in the form of television, video games, I pods, I pads, computers and phones are a modern reality. We are faced with its prevalence in every aspect of our lives. Parents are asking, what kind of effect is it having on my child and what as a parent(s) can I/we do about it. These are common questions and concerns that I hear from parents and ask myself frequently.

I first started considering television and electronics and their effects on children a couple of years ago when I had some challenges in my classroom such as: aggressive behavior towards others, diminishing attention spans and fatigue, to name a few. I considered many things while thinking about this issue, but kept coming back to TV and electronics. When I began to reach out to some parents in the class I discovered that one child was waking up in the middle of the night to sneak TV until 4am. I also found out many parents were allowing up to four hours of ipad time multiple times a week and that children were viewing a screen on the way to school. I also learned that some of these children had unlimited access to the internet which is an entire subject of its own.

I began doing some research. While different studies focus on varying aspects of this topic, I found the following data to be consistent within all my research:

1) Children from 7-18 engage in screen media an average of 6 1/2 hours a day. (I personally do not know where those hours come from without taking them away from the essentials like exercise, fresh air, outdoor play, social interaction, meals, homework, reading and sleep.)
2) Children who have too much screen time are not getting enough exercise or quality sleep (and tend towards obesity).
3) Children who do not have enforced media limits in their household are disengaging from human contact and have a harder time appropriately expressing emotions more frequently.
4) Children who use other forms of media such as video games and computers actually are more likely to watch more tv not less.
5) Children with electronic media in their rooms are spending the most hours on media. (In every instance, the research suggested eliminating this option.)

The other common theme throughout my research is the effect this excess is having on our children:

1) Children are more likely to have a diagnosis of ADD
2) Children are more likely to be aggressive and have altered impulse control.
3) Children are more likely to be tired.
4) Children are more likely to have diminished cognitive function.

Adults and children are experiencing physiological changes as a result of excessive electronic media. They get so stimulated that they then crave more stimulation. They are secreting more stress related hormones and all of that takes its toll.

As a child I almost always wanted to be outdoors. It was an instant fix for irritability, moodiness, and boredom. The fresh air and freedom provided a reset button and always engaged my imagination. The past ten years in various settings with children I hear or overhear more and more that children have a preference for staying inside. Television, movies and video games provide an instant alter reality, a sensation that produces an enhanced overstimulation. Physiologically the body craves more of this adrenaline and the cycle begins. It begins to require more effort to feel a release from simple back yard play.

Several articles I read, suggested a total media black out for two to three weeks for children who were exhibiting aggressive behavior, moodiness, fatigue and a loss of interest in other things. It makes sense; if your child is experiencing a constant stomachache when she eats certain foods its only logical to eliminate those foods to see if it helps her issue. If a child is experiencing any behavior that seems concerning (especially attention, impulse, or complacency issues) then considering a media ‘fast’ just may be worth considering. The idea is to remove the heightened stimuli and return the body to a more natural state. In addition to the ‘fast’ possibly eliminating or helping certain behavioral issues, it ultimately makes it easier to set the limits on screen media and stick with it; a reset button if you will.

According to Psychology Today, writer Victoria L. Dunckley, M.D states, “If done correctly, this intervention can produce deeper sleep a brighter and more even mood, better focus and organization, and an increase in physical activity. The ability to tolerate stress improves, so meltdowns diminish in both frequency and severity. The child begins to enjoy the things they used to, is more drawn to nature, and imaginary or creative play returns. In teens and young adults, an increase in self-directed behavior is observed—the exact opposite of apathy”. She also mentions that a ‘fast’ has shown to considerably improve or diminish “meltdowns.”

I recently began living with a 7 and 10 year old. I know now more than ever just how easy it is to suggest a “show” in lieu of other activities just to ensure a seamless dinner served on time or to allow some “down time” after school or on the weekends. We do have clear limits in our home. The TV is only on for TV time; it does not run in the background or during meals. Portable electronics are not present at the dinner table or in public but I see children everywhere with their face hidden behind a screen. I can’t help but wonder what experiences they may be missing out on! When a young child is face to face with their surroundings they are acting as members of their community and adapting. The young child may be noticing letters on a menu or shapes of different street signs. We can notice the remarkable observations if we too are also staying present and phone free. After an evening on the town, conversations back at my house often arise about people that were seen or the things they felt and observed. This observation and communication can’t happen if we are all looking at phones and I pads.

Throughout the day in my classroom, I see how fragile and vulnerable a child’s attentions span can be. I see temporary and permanent changes being made daily in the development of attention spans and social and emotional growth. I see that TRUE attention is ONLY held when a child is engaged in purposeful and meaningful work. This type of attention and concentration looks totally different from a child who is watching a movie or holding a phone. I also know first hand that the children I live with are more apt to solve a conflict after playing outside than after being on the ipad. Those reasons alone are enough to encourage me to think twice about accepting that all of our spare time can be spent watching TV or playing on the iPad in my house. When I’m with the children in my class, I’m hoping the same for them.

Ultimately, it is true that electronic media is a huge part of our present and our future. “If used appropriately, it’s wonderful,” clinical psychiatrist Dr. Timothy Hogan says of digital media. “We don’t want to demonize media, because it’s going to be a part of everybody’s lives increasingly, and we have to teach children how to make good choices around it, how to limit it and how to make sure it’s not going to take the place of all the other good stuff out there.”

By: Anna Marie Reno, Primary Lead